Updates

 The members of PSAC/UCTE Local 50600 hit the picket line this morning at the Winnipeg Airport. After seven days of intense mediation, Winnipeg Airports Authority (WAA) walked away from the table about 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 23. We remained available to the mediator until 3:00 a.m. and when no further communication was made by the employer, our members hit the picket line at 3:00 a.m. sharp. The main priority issue is the WAA’s use of contractors that are doing the work of bargaining unit members. We have filed grievances that are in the system and we have identified several cases where our members can do it more cost effectively. This has been all for naught and WAA refused to ensure the job security of our members.

A strike began at the Winnipeg Airport Monday morning (July 24, 2017) at 3:00am. After seven days of negotiations with the assistance of a federally-appointed mediator aimed at resolving all outstanding issues in bargaining between the Winnipeg Airport and its General Bargaining Unit employees, members of UCTE Local 50600 of the PSAC, the employer left the talks at 6:00pm Sunday after tabling an offer which failed to address almost all of those issues.

The NDP Critic for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship—along with a small group of politicians—travelled to Vegreville on Wednesday, July 19 to sit down with affected workers from the Vegreville Case Processing Centre (CPC).

A strike could occur at the Winnipeg Airport as early as Monday, if the union is unable to reach a tentative agreement with the employer. The Public Service Alliance of Canada served the required 72-hour notice late last night.

Unionized workers employed by the Winnipeg Airports Authority (WAA) sent a clear message to their employer last night, voting strongly in favour of taking strike action later this week should mediation talks break down. Several meetings were held Monday evening to allow union members to vote to take strike action as early as 12:01 a.m., Saturday, July 22, if an agreement can’t be reached. That deadline can be extended, as needed, if talks remain productive.